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Monday, April 11, 2011

Changing from heating to cooling season

Classrooms on the Twin Cities campus may experience
fluctuations in their normal temperature range throughout the year, especially
during seasonal weather transition periods. The Office of Classroom Management
and Facilities Management are committed to providing the best possible teaching
and learning environment for University faculty and students. If you feel the
temperature in your classroom is either too high or low, please contact the
Classroom Support Hotline at 612-625-1086.



The following is a note from Facilities Management regarding
the transition from heating to cooling in campus buildings.



With warmer weather just around the corner, FM has begun
transitioning buildings from heating to cooling season.  The process takes several weeks. 

Unlike at your home, the conversion process
is not as simple as flipping a switch on an air conditioning unit.  We first drain antifreeze from the system.
Next we clean and test both pipes and pumps. Finally cooling towers and coils
are filled with water.  The towers and
coils can't be filled too early because they can crack if night time
temperatures dip below 29 degrees. If a
coil breaks, it must be custom ordered and can leave an area without cooling
for up to six weeks.



Despite our best efforts, some spaces may experience
uncomfortable temperatures for a limited time. Our goal is to minimize this exposure.